SP(UB)02 Kapitanleutnant Seigfried Koitschka KC

Koitschka began his naval career in April 1937. After serving on the cruiser Admiral Hipper he transferred to the U-boat force in June 1940. Six months later he became second watch officer on U-552, the famous ’Red Devil Boat’ commanded by Erich Topp. He left U-552 after 6 patrols in December 1941 and he became commander of the school boat U-7. In December 1942 he took command of U-616 and after one patrol in the North Atlantic he managed to break through the Straits of Gibraltar in May 1943. After 6 patrols in the Mediterranean he had sunk a US destroyer and damaged 2 ships for a total of more than 17,000 tons. After torpedoing 2 ships, U-616 was located by US destroyers on 14 May 1944 and for the next 3 days was attacked by the destroyers and also British Wellington aircraft before being forced to surface.

Kapitanleutnant Seigfried Koitschka
Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross
Hand signed 5in x 7in photograph - numbered and certified on reverse.
Accompanied by matching biography card giving U-boat service details.